Arnita Scheck, age 97, of Victoria, Kansas, passed away at her home on Monday, August 11, 2025.  She was born November 27, 1927, on the family farm North of Walker, Kansas to Peter A. and Anna M. (Haberkorn) Dinkel.  She married Seraphine Scheck on June 24, 1946, at Walker, Kansas.  He preceded her in death on November 25, 1998.

She was a homemaker, worked at Travenol Lab., a wonderful maker of angel food cakes and homemade noodles.  She volunteered for over 25 years with the Fort Hays Senior Companions Program, enjoyed playing cards, and spending time with family and friends.    

Arnita was a member of The Basilica of Saint Fidelis, V.F.W. Post #1751 Auxiliary, Saint Fidelis Christian Mothers, and Saint Fidelis Daughters of Isabella all of Victoria, Kansas.

Arnita is survived by her children, Marjorie Dinkel and husband, Kenny; Jeanie Goetz and husband, Jerry; Joe Scheck and wife, Jeanne; Dennis Scheck and wife, Connie; James 'Jim' Scheck and wife, Becky; Dan Scheck; Norman Scheck and wife, Pam; Tim Scheck and wife, Bev; her son-in-law, Eric Brooks; her 33 grandchildren; her 55 great grandchildren; her one great great grandchild; and one on the way. 

She was preceded in death by her parents, Peter A. and Anna M. Dinkel; her husband, Seraphine Scheck; her daughter, Judy Brooks; her grandchildren, Tammy Dinkel-Gilliland and Evan Brooks; her brothers, Edward P. Dinkel; Alfred Dinkel; Alvin Dinkel; Ralph Dinkel; Father Emil Dinkel C.P.P.S.; Virgil Dinkel; her sisters, Sr. Appolonia Dinkel C.S.A.; Laura Miller; and Sr. Lioba Dinkel C.S.A.  

A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 A.M. Saturday, August 16, 2025, at The Basilica of Saint Fidelis, 900 Cathedral Ave., Victoria, Kansas with Celebrant, Father Curtis Carlson O.F.M. Cap.  Burial will be in The Saint Fidelis Cemetery, Victoria, Kansas.

Visitation will be from 5:00 to 8:00 P.M. Friday, at Cline’s-Keithley Mortuary, Victoria, and from 9:00 to 10:00 A.M. Saturday, at The Basilica of Saint Fidelis.

A vigil service will be at 6:00 P.M. Friday, followed by a V.F.W. Auxiliary Memorial Service, Christian Mothers and Daughters of Isabella rosary all at Cline’s-Keithley Mortuary, Victoria.

The family suggests memorials payable to: Hospice of Hays Medical Center; The Basilica of St. Fidelis; or Ft. Hays Senior Companion Program in care of Cline’s-Keithley Mortuary, 412 Main Street, Victoria, Kansas 67671. 

Condolences can be emailed to clineschapels@gmail.com or left by guest book at www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1754942486340.jpeg" alt="Arnita Scheck" />
 <figcaption>Arnita Scheck</figcaption>
 </figure>Arnita Scheck, age 97, of Victoria, Kansas, passed away at her home on Monday, August 11, 2025. She was born November 27, 1927, on the family farm North of Walker, Kansas to Peter A. and Anna M. (Haberkorn) Dinkel. She married Seraphine Scheck on June 24, 1946, at Walker, Kansas. He preceded her in death on November 25, 1998.She was a homemaker, worked at Travenol Lab., a wonderful maker of angel food cakes and homemade noodles. She volunteered for over 25 years with the Fort Hays Senior Companions Program, enjoyed playing cards, and spending time with family and friends. Arnita was a member of The Basilica of Saint Fidelis, V.F.W. Post #1751 Auxiliary, Saint Fidelis Christian Mothers, and Saint Fidelis Daughters of Isabella all of Victoria, Kansas.Arnita is survived by her children, Marjorie Dinkel and husband, Kenny; Jeanie Goetz and husband, Jerry; Joe Scheck and wife, Jeanne; Dennis Scheck and wife, Connie; James 'Jim' Scheck and wife, Becky; Dan Scheck; Norman Scheck and wife, Pam; Tim Scheck and wife, Bev; her son-in-law, Eric Brooks; her 33 grandchildren; her 55 great grandchildren; her one great great grandchild; and one on the way. She was preceded in death by her parents, Peter A. and Anna M. Dinkel; her husband, Seraphine Scheck; her daughter, Judy Brooks; her grandchildren, Tammy Dinkel-Gilliland and Evan Brooks; her brothers, Edward P. Dinkel; Alfred Dinkel; Alvin Dinkel; Ralph Dinkel; Father Emil Dinkel C.P.P.S.; Virgil Dinkel; her sisters, Sr. Appolonia Dinkel C.S.A.; Laura Miller; and Sr. Lioba Dinkel C.S.A. A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 A.M. Saturday, August 16, 2025, at The Basilica of Saint Fidelis, 900 Cathedral Ave., Victoria, Kansas with Celebrant, Father Curtis Carlson O.F.M. Cap. Burial will be in The Saint Fidelis Cemetery, Victoria, Kansas.Visitation will be from 5:00 to 8:00 P.M. Friday, at Cline’s-Keithley Mortuary, Victoria, and from 9:00 to 10:00 A.M. Saturday, at The Basilica of Saint Fidelis.A vigil service will be at 6:00 P.M. Friday, followed by a V.F.W. Auxiliary Memorial Service, Christian Mothers and Daughters of Isabella rosary all at Cline’s-Keithley Mortuary, Victoria.The family suggests memorials payable to: Hospice of Hays Medical Center; The Basilica of St. Fidelis; or Ft. Hays Senior Companion Program in care of Cline’s-Keithley Mortuary, 412 Main Street, Victoria, Kansas 67671. Condolences can be emailed to clineschapels@gmail.com or left by guest book at www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com

Arnita Scheck

By TONY GUERRERO Hays Post

A Hays man allegedly stole a trailer that has yet to be recovered.

Hays Deputy Police Chief Tim Greenwood said 52-year-old Michael Anthony Brower was taken into custody for two alleged counts of felony theft and criminal property damage.

Greenwood said a 7-by-16-foot utility trailer was stolen from the 1000 block of East 29th Street sometime between July 17 and 23, with the theft reported to police on July 24.

Officers reviewed surveillance footage from a nearby business that allegedly captured a suspect vehicle leaving the area. They identified its license plate, and the car was later found and towed as evidence that same day.

Greenwood said Brower was identified through a match with his driver’s license photo and was also arrested that same day. The 2003 dual-axle utility trailer remains missing and is listed as stolen in the National Crime Information Center database.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1755184223217.png" alt="Brower photo Ellis Co. Jail" />
 <figcaption>Brower photo Ellis Co. Jail</figcaption>
 </figure>By TONY GUERRERO Hays PostA Hays man allegedly stole a trailer that has yet to be recovered.Hays Deputy Police Chief Tim Greenwood said 52-year-old Michael Anthony Brower was taken into custody for two alleged counts of felony theft and criminal property damage.Greenwood said a 7-by-16-foot utility trailer was stolen from the 1000 block of East 29th Street sometime between July 17 and 23, with the theft reported to police on July 24.Officers reviewed surveillance footage from a nearby business that allegedly captured a suspect vehicle leaving the area. They identified its license plate, and the car was later found and towed as evidence that same day.Greenwood said Brower was identified through a match with his driver’s license photo and was also arrested that same day. The 2003 dual-axle utility trailer remains missing and is listed as stolen in the National Crime Information Center database.

Hays man arrested for alleged trailer theft

NEW YORK (AP) — Look what you made her do —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/taylor-swift">Taylor Swift</a>&nbsp;has announced her 12th studio album, “The Life of a Showgirl.”

It will arrive October 3, she revealed Wednesday. Swift, Max Martin and Shellback are the credited producers, which includes a notable absence of her longtime collaborator Jack Antonoff. The final track, “The Life of a Showgirl,” will feature Sabrina Carpenter. A full tracklist is below.

Swift announced the album on her website shortly after a countdown timer expired at 12:12 a.m. Tuesday. No release date was announced, but her site said vinyl editions of the album would ship before Oct. 13.

Fans have long theorized that Swift's 12th album would soon arrive. On Monday, Taylor Nation — an official branch of the pop superstar’s marketing team — posted a TikTok slideshow of 12 images with the caption “Thinking about when she said 'See you next era…'” Swift is seen wearing orange in every image.

She also revealed the album artwork, which features the singer submerged in water and continues her color scheme of orange and mint green.

A special limited vinyl edition of the album will be released in “Portofino orange glitter,” according to a preorder page on her site. A special cassette edition is also available for preorder.

Sensing a pattern, eagle-eyed fans noticed that 12 minutes before Monday's Taylor Nation post, the popular&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kelce-chiefs-eagles-jason-travis-new-heights-92761f6968b12ee06603d66e7ce9c5b7">“New Heights” podcast</a>&nbsp;posted a tease for Wednesday. The show, hosted by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/taylor-swift-travis-kelce-chiefs-bills-nfl-playoffs-d978fa0be8100cc145cb6a63ffc656cf">Swift's boyfriend</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/travis-kelce">Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce</a>&nbsp;alongside his brother, former Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce, posted an orange image on social media with a mysterious silhouette that many believed to be Swift.

The podcast later announced that Swift would indeed appear on “New Heights” and a teaser video posted about her appearance showed her pulling the album from a briefcase.

12. The Life of a Showgirl (featuring Sabrina Carpenter)

How to watch Taylor Swift on the ‘New Heights’ podcast

Swift's episode of the “New Heights” podcast premiered at 7 p.m. Eastern on Wednesday. It is available to stream in full on YouTube. Fans who'd prefer to listen to the show, instead, can do so via most podcast streaming platforms: Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Audible, Spotify and Wondery.

“The Life of a Showgirl” follows last year’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/taylor-swift-tortured-poets-department-review-b24d2275df5cf78ffa9069c61b9825ec">“The Tortured Poets Department,”</a>&nbsp;announced during the 2024 Grammys and released during her&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/taylor-swift-eras-tour-billion-dollar-record-52945111233438b1f2166aa19eee365f">record-breaking tour</a>, which raked in over $2.2 billion across two years and five continents, making it the highest-grossing tour of all time.

The album is also Swift's first release since she regained control over her entire body of work. In May, the pop star said she purchased her catalog of recordings — originally released through&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/5725558c87b14859b6a8d4760b7f0232">Big Machine Records —</a>&nbsp;from their most recent owner, the private equity firm Shamrock Capital. She did not disclose the amount paid.

In recent years, Swift had been re-recording and releasing her first six albums in an attempt to regain control of her music. The project was instigated by music executive&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/scooter-braun-what-to-know-d5669e8b0fe641dd268c2e2cf88b0e24">Scooter Braun’s</a>&nbsp;purchase and sale of her early catalog. Previous&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/5725558c87b14859b6a8d4760b7f0232">“Taylor’s Version” releases</a>&nbsp;have been more than conventional re-recordings, arriving with new “from the vault” music, Easter eggs and visuals that deepen understanding of her work.

So far, there have been four re-recorded albums, beginning with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/taylor-swift-redoing-fearless-album-127eefa2a3ef3373e65507495f50145c">“Fearless (Taylor’s Version)”</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/red-taylor-swift-travis-kelce-super-bowl-6fe895e1691f6cd85216e520cc3b8ce1">“Red (Taylor’s Version)”</a>&nbsp;in 2021. All four have been massive commercial and cultural successes, each debuting at No. 1 on the Billboard 200.

Swift’s last re-recording,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/taylor-swift-1989-taylors-version-a4002b50f70b5899a846baf3e20de5ab">“1989 (Taylor’s Version),”</a>&nbsp;arrived in October 2023, just four months after the release of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/taylor-swift-speak-now-taylors-version-a41998c4d1f08af9d89c6d314ed4c2bd">“Speak Now (Taylor’s Version).”</a>&nbsp;That was the same year Swift claimed the record for the woman with the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/taylor-swift-number-one-albums-speak-now-5dfb913b75ee6628d8804d5a02f9333f">most No. 1 albums in history.</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1728352544471.png" alt="Taylor Swift file photo (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)" />
 <figcaption>Taylor Swift file photo (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)</figcaption>
 </figure>NEW YORK (AP) — Look what you made her do —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/taylor-swift">Taylor Swift</a>&nbsp;has announced her 12th studio album, “The Life of a Showgirl.”It will arrive October 3, she revealed Wednesday. Swift, Max Martin and Shellback are the credited producers, which includes a notable absence of her longtime collaborator Jack Antonoff. The final track, “The Life of a Showgirl,” will feature Sabrina Carpenter. A full tracklist is below.Swift announced the album on her website shortly after a countdown timer expired at 12:12 a.m. Tuesday. No release date was announced, but her site said vinyl editions of the album would ship before Oct. 13.Fans have long theorized that Swift's 12th album would soon arrive. On Monday, Taylor Nation — an official branch of the pop superstar’s marketing team — posted a TikTok slideshow of 12 images with the caption “Thinking about when she said 'See you next era…'” Swift is seen wearing orange in every image.She also revealed the album artwork, which features the singer submerged in water and continues her color scheme of orange and mint green.A special limited vinyl edition of the album will be released in “Portofino orange glitter,” according to a preorder page on her site. A special cassette edition is also available for preorder.Sensing a pattern, eagle-eyed fans noticed that 12 minutes before Monday's Taylor Nation post, the popular&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kelce-chiefs-eagles-jason-travis-new-heights-92761f6968b12ee06603d66e7ce9c5b7">“New Heights” podcast</a>&nbsp;posted a tease for Wednesday. The show, hosted by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/taylor-swift-travis-kelce-chiefs-bills-nfl-playoffs-d978fa0be8100cc145cb6a63ffc656cf">Swift's boyfriend</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/travis-kelce">Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce</a>&nbsp;alongside his brother, former Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce, posted an orange image on social media with a mysterious silhouette that many believed to be Swift.The podcast later announced that Swift would indeed appear on “New Heights” and a teaser video posted about her appearance showed her pulling the album from a briefcase.Here's the full tracklist:<h2>“The Life of a Showgirl”</h2>1. The Fate of Ophelia2. Elizabeth Taylor3. Opalite4. Father Figure5. Eldest Daughter6. Ruin the Friendship7. Actually Romantic8. Wi$h Li$t9. Wood10. Cancelled!11. Honey12. The Life of a Showgirl (featuring Sabrina Carpenter)<h2>How to watch Taylor Swift on the ‘New Heights’ podcast</h2>Swift's episode of the “New Heights” podcast premiered at 7 p.m. Eastern on Wednesday. It is available to stream in full on YouTube. Fans who'd prefer to listen to the show, instead, can do so via most podcast streaming platforms: Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Audible, Spotify and Wondery.<h2>The road to ‘The Life of a Showgirl’</h2>“The Life of a Showgirl” follows last year’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/taylor-swift-tortured-poets-department-review-b24d2275df5cf78ffa9069c61b9825ec">“The Tortured Poets Department,”</a>&nbsp;announced during the 2024 Grammys and released during her&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/taylor-swift-eras-tour-billion-dollar-record-52945111233438b1f2166aa19eee365f">record-breaking tour</a>, which raked in over $2.2 billion across two years and five continents, making it the highest-grossing tour of all time.The album is also Swift's first release since she regained control over her entire body of work. In May, the pop star said she purchased her catalog of recordings — originally released through&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/5725558c87b14859b6a8d4760b7f0232">Big Machine Records —</a>&nbsp;from their most recent owner, the private equity firm Shamrock Capital. She did not disclose the amount paid.In recent years, Swift had been re-recording and releasing her first six albums in an attempt to regain control of her music. The project was instigated by music executive&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/scooter-braun-what-to-know-d5669e8b0fe641dd268c2e2cf88b0e24">Scooter Braun’s</a>&nbsp;purchase and sale of her early catalog. Previous&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/5725558c87b14859b6a8d4760b7f0232">“Taylor’s Version” releases</a>&nbsp;have been more than conventional re-recordings, arriving with new “from the vault” music, Easter eggs and visuals that deepen understanding of her work.So far, there have been four re-recorded albums, beginning with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/taylor-swift-redoing-fearless-album-127eefa2a3ef3373e65507495f50145c">“Fearless (Taylor’s Version)”</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/red-taylor-swift-travis-kelce-super-bowl-6fe895e1691f6cd85216e520cc3b8ce1">“Red (Taylor’s Version)”</a>&nbsp;in 2021. All four have been massive commercial and cultural successes, each debuting at No. 1 on the Billboard 200.Swift’s last re-recording,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/taylor-swift-1989-taylors-version-a4002b50f70b5899a846baf3e20de5ab">“1989 (Taylor’s Version),”</a>&nbsp;arrived in October 2023, just four months after the release of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/taylor-swift-speak-now-taylors-version-a41998c4d1f08af9d89c6d314ed4c2bd">“Speak Now (Taylor’s Version).”</a>&nbsp;That was the same year Swift claimed the record for the woman with the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/taylor-swift-number-one-albums-speak-now-5dfb913b75ee6628d8804d5a02f9333f">most No. 1 albums in history.</a>

Taylor Swift reveals much more about her 12th studio album

By&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/jim-gomez">JIM GOMEZ</a>

MANILA, Philippines (AP) — The U.S. deployed two warships Wednesday in a disputed South China Sea shoal where two Chinese ships collided earlier in the week while trying to drive away a smaller Philippine ship in a high-seas accident that raised alarms about maritime safety.

Both China and the Philippines claim Scarborough Shoal and other outcroppings in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/south-china-sea">the South China Sea.</a>&nbsp;Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan also lay overlapping claims in the contested waters.

The USS Higgins, a guided missile destroyer, and USS Cincinnati, a littoral combat ship, were shadowed by a Chinese navy ship while sailing about 30 nautical miles from the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/china-philippines-sea-scarborough-shoal-063d817379f1a5268e2061b9c2764afe">Scarborough Shoal</a>. There were no reports of any untoward incident, Philippine coast guard Commodore Jay Tarriela said, citing information from U.S. officials and a Philippine surveillance flight.

The U.S. Navy has staged what it calls freedom-of-navigation voyages and overflights in the South China Sea for years to challenge China’s restrictions and its demand for entry notifications in virtually the entire stretch of the disputed waters that it claims. That has angered China and its forces have had&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-south-china-sea-military-jet-bomber-0af848de95db435276e7642a4a401939">close runs-in</a>&nbsp;with U.S. warships and aircraft on such patrols in international waters and airspace.

The deployment happened after Washington’s ambassador to Manila, MaryKay Carlson, on Tuesday condemned “the latest reckless action by China directed against a Philippine vessel” in Scarborough. The rich fishing atoll off the northwestern Philippines has been the scene of increasingly&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/philippines-disputed-shoal-south-china-sea-scarborough-27a2ef0bda953cb6bda4f42057fb7e39">tense confrontations between</a>&nbsp;the Chinese and Philippine coast guard, fishing and other ships in recent years.

The Philippines is the oldest treaty ally of the U.S. in Asia. Washington has repeatedly&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/south-china-sea-philippines-collision-67aa7e2ca5df4f4e3a7c3bceff46c26f">warned</a>&nbsp;that it’s obligated to defend the Philippines if Filipino forces come under an armed attack, including in the South China Sea.

On Monday, a Chinese navy destroyer and a Chinese coast guard ship accidentally collided while trying to block and drive away a smaller Philippine coast guard ship, the BRP Suluan, about 10.5 nautical miles (19 kilometers) from Scarborough. Video footages made public by the Philippine coast guard show the Chinese coast guard ship blasting its powerful water cannon and a number of Chinese personnel standing at the bow shortly before that section was hit by the fast-turning Chinese navy ship.

Shortly after the collision, the video shows the heavily shattered bow of the Chinese coast guard ship without the Chinese personnel, who were standing on deck before the crash. The Chinese navy ship sustained deep dents and what appeared to be linear gushes on its hull.

Japan, Australia and New Zealand expressed alarm on Wednesday over the dangerous maneuvers that led to the collision in the busy waters, a key global trade route.

“Japan upholds the rule of law and opposes any actions which increase tensions. Our concern goes to the repeated actions in the South China Sea,” Japanese Ambassador to Manila Endo Kazuya said in a post on X.

The Australian Embassy in Manila expressed concern “by the dangerous and unprofessional conduct of Chinese vessels near Scarborough Shoal involving the Philippine Coast Guard,” saying in a statement the incident “highlights the need for de-escalation, restraint and respect for international law.”

“This is a learning experience for the People’s Republic of China,” Tarriela, the Philippine coast guard commodore, told a news conference in Manila. “For so many years, we have been reminding them to stop dangerous maneuvers, to stop risky blockings, to adhere to the (anti-)collision regulations because if there is a very high chance of miscalculation, this kind of collision incident would happen.”

Tarriela spoke a few hours after a Chinese fighter jet flew as close as 500 feet (150 meters) to try to drive away a Philippine coast guard plane on a surveillance flight on Wednesday over the Scarborough with invited journalists on board. The Chinese jet carried out dangerous maneuvers for about 20 minutes, including flying about 200 feet (60 meters) above the small Philippine aircraft, Tarriela said.

Associated Press writers Joeal Calupitan and Aaron Favila in Manila, Philippines, contributed to this report.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1755136646024.png" alt="Google Map" />
 <figcaption>Google Map</figcaption>
 </figure>By&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/jim-gomez">JIM GOMEZ</a>MANILA, Philippines (AP) — The U.S. deployed two warships Wednesday in a disputed South China Sea shoal where two Chinese ships collided earlier in the week while trying to drive away a smaller Philippine ship in a high-seas accident that raised alarms about maritime safety.Both China and the Philippines claim Scarborough Shoal and other outcroppings in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/south-china-sea">the South China Sea.</a>&nbsp;Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan also lay overlapping claims in the contested waters.The USS Higgins, a guided missile destroyer, and USS Cincinnati, a littoral combat ship, were shadowed by a Chinese navy ship while sailing about 30 nautical miles from the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/china-philippines-sea-scarborough-shoal-063d817379f1a5268e2061b9c2764afe">Scarborough Shoal</a>. There were no reports of any untoward incident, Philippine coast guard Commodore Jay Tarriela said, citing information from U.S. officials and a Philippine surveillance flight.The U.S. Navy has staged what it calls freedom-of-navigation voyages and overflights in the South China Sea for years to challenge China’s restrictions and its demand for entry notifications in virtually the entire stretch of the disputed waters that it claims. That has angered China and its forces have had&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-south-china-sea-military-jet-bomber-0af848de95db435276e7642a4a401939">close runs-in</a>&nbsp;with U.S. warships and aircraft on such patrols in international waters and airspace.The deployment happened after Washington’s ambassador to Manila, MaryKay Carlson, on Tuesday condemned “the latest reckless action by China directed against a Philippine vessel” in Scarborough. The rich fishing atoll off the northwestern Philippines has been the scene of increasingly&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/philippines-disputed-shoal-south-china-sea-scarborough-27a2ef0bda953cb6bda4f42057fb7e39">tense confrontations between</a>&nbsp;the Chinese and Philippine coast guard, fishing and other ships in recent years.The Philippines is the oldest treaty ally of the U.S. in Asia. Washington has repeatedly&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/south-china-sea-philippines-collision-67aa7e2ca5df4f4e3a7c3bceff46c26f">warned</a>&nbsp;that it’s obligated to defend the Philippines if Filipino forces come under an armed attack, including in the South China Sea.On Monday, a Chinese navy destroyer and a Chinese coast guard ship accidentally collided while trying to block and drive away a smaller Philippine coast guard ship, the BRP Suluan, about 10.5 nautical miles (19 kilometers) from Scarborough. Video footages made public by the Philippine coast guard show the Chinese coast guard ship blasting its powerful water cannon and a number of Chinese personnel standing at the bow shortly before that section was hit by the fast-turning Chinese navy ship.Shortly after the collision, the video shows the heavily shattered bow of the Chinese coast guard ship without the Chinese personnel, who were standing on deck before the crash. The Chinese navy ship sustained deep dents and what appeared to be linear gushes on its hull.Japan, Australia and New Zealand expressed alarm on Wednesday over the dangerous maneuvers that led to the collision in the busy waters, a key global trade route.“Japan upholds the rule of law and opposes any actions which increase tensions. Our concern goes to the repeated actions in the South China Sea,” Japanese Ambassador to Manila Endo Kazuya said in a post on X.The Australian Embassy in Manila expressed concern “by the dangerous and unprofessional conduct of Chinese vessels near Scarborough Shoal involving the Philippine Coast Guard,” saying in a statement the incident “highlights the need for de-escalation, restraint and respect for international law.”“This is a learning experience for the People’s Republic of China,” Tarriela, the Philippine coast guard commodore, told a news conference in Manila. “For so many years, we have been reminding them to stop dangerous maneuvers, to stop risky blockings, to adhere to the (anti-)collision regulations because if there is a very high chance of miscalculation, this kind of collision incident would happen.”Tarriela spoke a few hours after a Chinese fighter jet flew as close as 500 feet (150 meters) to try to drive away a Philippine coast guard plane on a surveillance flight on Wednesday over the Scarborough with invited journalists on board. The Chinese jet carried out dangerous maneuvers for about 20 minutes, including flying about 200 feet (60 meters) above the small Philippine aircraft, Tarriela said.___Associated Press writers Joeal Calupitan and Aaron Favila in Manila, Philippines, contributed to this report.

US deployed warships to disputed South China Sea shoal after Chinese collision

By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays Post

The Hays USD 489 school district is proposing a budget with a mill levy increase.

The district is proposing a .447 mill increase in the tax levy for the supplemental general fund for the 2026 fiscal year.

"Yes, the total taxes levied will go up, so we will exceed the revenue-neutral rate," Chris Hipp, assistant superintendent of business services, said. "The total mill levy crept up a little bit, but mostly because of reductions in state aid and additional costs in special ed."

The USD 489's portion of the county valuation increased by about 1.4%.

Taxes on a home valued at $239,000 will go up by about $36 per year, based on the district's mill levy and the increased assessed valuation, according to the school district.

The district is losing about $193,000 in state aid for the supplemental general fund, Hipp said, which means the net increase from that fund is only about $80,000.

Hays' overall school mill levy is slightly below the state average. That includes the bond mill levy, he said.

The 20 mills that are assessed for schools go to the state and are reallocated to local school districts based on enrollment. The state sets that mill rate, and the local school board has no control over that levy, Hipp said.

The district is predicting a smaller kindergarten class compared to last year's high school graduating class, so it is forecasting a slight decrease in enrollment, Hipp said.

"The student count is what drives everything," Hipp said. "It sets the general fund. So that 20 mills that goes to Topeka, we get back whatever portion of that in the form of state aid."

The district's capital outlay levy is being kept at 8 mills. Although the increase in valuation will bring in another $50,000, the district is losing about $106,000 in state aid, which means the net revenue for capital outlay will be negative, Hipp said.

Thanks in part to the increase in valuation, the budget calls for a slight reduction in the bond and interest mill levy from 11.262 to 11.152 mills. Hipp said the mill rate is calculated based on what the school district needs to make its next bond payment.

The district is in the midst of multiple building construction projects. The largest of those projects is a new Hays High School, which is set to open next week.

The most significant line-item increase in the supplemental general fund budget, about $1 million, is for salary increases.&nbsp;

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/de2764c1-3767-4d5a-8353-888aa39a31cf">SEE RELATED STORY: Hays USD 489 board approves 2.5% raise for all personnel</a>

Hipp said the district is saving about $332,000 through position reductions. No one was laid off, but the district left open some positions due to retirements and resignations.

Hipp said this was made possible by smaller class sizes in the lower grades and a move to three elementary school buildings instead of four.

Lincoln Elementary School was permanently closed in the spring.

The district also saw an increase of almost $822,000 for special education. Although Hays hosts the special education cooperation, that figure only includes Hays' portion of the cooperative budget.

Hipp said the school district is facing increasing costs for special education with a decrease in contributions from the state and federal governments.

"Their expenses are set at the student level," Hipp said. "Their expenses are set when we are having individual education plan meetings and deciding on the services kids need. It's federally mandated. It's going to happen."

What is not funded by the state and federal governments has to come from local school districts. Neither the state nor the federal government is fully funding their portions of special education, which is leaving local school districts to pick up more of the tab.

"It's extremely painful across the state," Hipp said.

Hipp said the district has been trying to keep the local mill levy down by using reserve funds, but the district can't use any more reserve without risking not being able to pay its bills.

Kyle Carlin, special education co-op director, said the district has experienced increased costs for salaries, programs for disabled students, programs used by the co-op's speech pathologists and psychologists, and testing.

The state increased funding by $7 million for special education for the 2026 budget year, but that is for the entire state and is less than 1% of the state's special education budget, Carlin said.

Federal funding has been flat.&nbsp;The federal funding gap for the Hays district alone is almost $2.2 million and the state's gap is more than $1 million.

Carlin has been part of the discussions about fulfilling the state funding shortfall, and he was part of a delegation that met with the Kansas Congressional delegation in Washington, D.C., earlier this summer about closing the federal funding gap.

Carlin said he met personally with Rep. Tracey Mann, R-Kan., who said he was interested in new legislation that would fully fund the federal obligation for special education using a stair-step approach over 10 years.

Carlin said Mann expressed concern about the special education law as an unfunded mandate.

"Each student brings with them their own individual needs that we have an obligation to meet," Carlin said. "Even though the feds are funding at 12% of their obligation and the state is funding at less than 70% of their obligation, we are still responsible for 100% of that law.

"Luckily, I work with districts that are committed to maintaining that and doing the best for kids."

The district's revenue-neutral rate and budget hearings are scheduled for the Sept. 8 board meeting.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1701185796895.jpg" alt="File photo" />
 <figcaption>File photo</figcaption>
 </figure>By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays PostThe Hays USD 489 school district is proposing a budget with a mill levy increase.The district is proposing a .447 mill increase in the tax levy for the supplemental general fund for the 2026 fiscal year."Yes, the total taxes levied will go up, so we will exceed the revenue-neutral rate," Chris Hipp, assistant superintendent of business services, said. "The total mill levy crept up a little bit, but mostly because of reductions in state aid and additional costs in special ed."The USD 489's portion of the county valuation increased by about 1.4%.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1755110772973.png" alt="On a home valued at $239,000, the estimated tax increase for 2026 will be $36. Graph courtesy of Hays USD 489" />
 <figcaption>On a home valued at $239,000, the estimated tax increase for 2026 will be $36. Graph courtesy of Hays USD 489</figcaption>
 </figure>Taxes on a home valued at $239,000 will go up by about $36 per year, based on the district's mill levy and the increased assessed valuation, according to the school district.The district is losing about $193,000 in state aid for the supplemental general fund, Hipp said, which means the net increase from that fund is only about $80,000.Hays' overall school mill levy is slightly below the state average. That includes the bond mill levy, he said.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1755104584183.png" alt="A mill rate comparison with other school districts. Hays' mill rate for the last three years are at right in red. The proposed 2026 mill rate is compared to the actual 2025 mill rates for the other districts. The statewide average mill rate for 2025 was 53.320. Hays' proposed mill rate for 2026 is 53.303. The bond mill levy became effective for the first time in 2023. Courtesy image" />
 <figcaption>A mill rate comparison with other school districts. Hays' mill rate for the last three years are at right in red. The proposed 2026 mill rate is compared to the actual 2025 mill rates for the other districts. The statewide average mill rate for 2025 was 53.320. Hays' proposed mill rate for 2026 is 53.303. The bond mill levy became effective for the first time in 2023. Courtesy image</figcaption>
 </figure>The 20 mills that are assessed for schools go to the state and are reallocated to local school districts based on enrollment. The state sets that mill rate, and the local school board has no control over that levy, Hipp said.The district is predicting a smaller kindergarten class compared to last year's high school graduating class, so it is forecasting a slight decrease in enrollment, Hipp said."The student count is what drives everything," Hipp said. "It sets the general fund. So that 20 mills that goes to Topeka, we get back whatever portion of that in the form of state aid."The district's capital outlay levy is being kept at 8 mills. Although the increase in valuation will bring in another $50,000, the district is losing about $106,000 in state aid, which means the net revenue for capital outlay will be negative, Hipp said.Thanks in part to the increase in valuation, the budget calls for a slight reduction in the bond and interest mill levy from 11.262 to 11.152 mills. Hipp said the mill rate is calculated based on what the school district needs to make its next bond payment.The district is in the midst of multiple building construction projects. The largest of those projects is a new Hays High School, which is set to open next week.The most significant line-item increase in the supplemental general fund budget, about $1 million, is for salary increases.&nbsp;<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/de2764c1-3767-4d5a-8353-888aa39a31cf">SEE RELATED STORY: Hays USD 489 board approves 2.5% raise for all personnel</a>Hipp said the district is saving about $332,000 through position reductions. No one was laid off, but the district left open some positions due to retirements and resignations.Hipp said this was made possible by smaller class sizes in the lower grades and a move to three elementary school buildings instead of four.Lincoln Elementary School was permanently closed in the spring.<h2>Special education funding</h2>The district also saw an increase of almost $822,000 for special education. Although Hays hosts the special education cooperation, that figure only includes Hays' portion of the cooperative budget.Hipp said the school district is facing increasing costs for special education with a decrease in contributions from the state and federal governments."Their expenses are set at the student level," Hipp said. "Their expenses are set when we are having individual education plan meetings and deciding on the services kids need. It's federally mandated. It's going to happen."What is not funded by the state and federal governments has to come from local school districts. Neither the state nor the federal government is fully funding their portions of special education, which is leaving local school districts to pick up more of the tab."It's extremely painful across the state," Hipp said.Hipp said the district has been trying to keep the local mill levy down by using reserve funds, but the district can't use any more reserve without risking not being able to pay its bills.Kyle Carlin, special education co-op director, said the district has experienced increased costs for salaries, programs for disabled students, programs used by the co-op's speech pathologists and psychologists, and testing.The state increased funding by $7 million for special education for the 2026 budget year, but that is for the entire state and is less than 1% of the state's special education budget, Carlin said.Federal funding has been flat.&nbsp;The federal funding gap for the Hays district alone is almost $2.2 million and the state's gap is more than $1 million.Carlin has been part of the discussions about fulfilling the state funding shortfall, and he was part of a delegation that met with the Kansas Congressional delegation in Washington, D.C., earlier this summer about closing the federal funding gap.Carlin said he met personally with Rep. Tracey Mann, R-Kan., who said he was interested in new legislation that would fully fund the federal obligation for special education using a stair-step approach over 10 years.Carlin said Mann expressed concern about the special education law as an unfunded mandate."Each student brings with them their own individual needs that we have an obligation to meet," Carlin said. "Even though the feds are funding at 12% of their obligation and the state is funding at less than 70% of their obligation, we are still responsible for 100% of that law."Luckily, I work with districts that are committed to maintaining that and doing the best for kids."The district's revenue-neutral rate and budget hearings are scheduled for the Sept. 8 board meeting.

Hays USD 489 proposes mill levy increase, sees special ed costs rise

By TONY GUERRERO Hays Post

The Ellis County Commission reviewed a draft of the 2026 budget for the final time before publication during its Tuesday meeting.

The current draft of the general fund has a 1.84 mill levy increase, from 35.99 mills to 37.83. mills.

Commissioner Nathan Leiker said the mill increase serves as a precaution to help maintain essential services if grants are reduced in the future.

"It at least allows us the flexibility to be able to have a soft landing when we have federal or state grants pulled," he said. "The county, the city and the school board, we're all taking out of the same cookie jar."

During last week's commission meeting, the commission&nbsp;reduced Grow Hay's allocation from $165,000 to $160,000, with the $5,000 reallocated to the Ellis County Historical Society, bringing its total to $115,000.

Commissioner Michael Berges said Grow Hays contacted the commission after that discussion and asked that the $5,000 be reinstated.

"I hate that it looks like we're putting one [outside agency] against the others when in reality, their requests are without consideration of the others," Berges said.

During this week's meeting, the commission reinstated Grow Hays' funding request of $165,000 and also maintained the Ellis County Historical Society's allocation at $115,000.

The Fire District budget draft has an increase in the mill levy from 4 mills to 4.14 mills, with projected revenues of about $781,600 and expenses of about $892,200. The Solid Waste Enterprise Fund has revenues of $1,595,000 with expenses at about $1,576,400.

A public hearing on the revenue-neutral rate and budget is set for Sept. 9.

Request for proposal for appraisal contract services

The Ellis County Appraiser's Office received approval to enter into a consulting agreement with Equitable Solutions for income and expense analysis services.

With the contractor, the county will have better tools to determine market values of commercial and industrial properties, leading to more accurate property tax assessments,&nbsp;Eugene Rupp, county appraiser, said.

The total cost is $21,000 and will be paid in three installments. The expense will be covered from the appraiser's 2025 general fund and the appraiser's capital reserve fund.

The following year, the county appraisal staff will fully take over the analysis, eliminating the need for a contractor in 2027.

Commissioners received an update from Mike Thomas, vice president of WoodRiver Energy, on the natural gas market and the option to lock in natural gas rates for county facilities.

Thomas said in the short term, the gas market is well supplied with stable prices, but in the long term, prices may rise.&nbsp; The commission approved a two-year natural gas contract at $5.10 per million British thermal units.

The commission briefly discussed the county's involvement in a national opioid lawsuit settlement from several years ago. Darin Myers, county administrator, said the county has been receiving payments over the last several years after opting in to do so.

Myers said the county recently received new settlement offer documents related to Purdue Pharma and the Sackler family. These documents came with tight deadlines, and Myers asked permission to sign them with the intention of bringing the documents to a future meeting.

Myers said the settlement funds do not impact the general fund and go into their own.

"By law, certain things that we can use them on are training and different programs specific to opioid use and drug addiction," he said.

The commission unanimously agreed to allow it.

The commission approved a waived fee of about $500 in waste disposal for the upcoming Volga German Oktoberfest, scheduled for Sept. 26 and 27 in Hays.

Commissioners also approved an updated job description for the Noxious Weed Department, including the addition of a new position level. This change aligns with stricter state certification requirements and improves employee retention. No new positions will be created.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684183971486.png" alt="Ellis County" />
 <figcaption>Ellis County</figcaption>
 </figure>By TONY GUERRERO Hays PostThe Ellis County Commission reviewed a draft of the 2026 budget for the final time before publication during its Tuesday meeting.The current draft of the general fund has a 1.84 mill levy increase, from 35.99 mills to 37.83. mills.Commissioner Nathan Leiker said the mill increase serves as a precaution to help maintain essential services if grants are reduced in the future."It at least allows us the flexibility to be able to have a soft landing when we have federal or state grants pulled," he said. "The county, the city and the school board, we're all taking out of the same cookie jar."During last week's commission meeting, the commission&nbsp;reduced Grow Hay's allocation from $165,000 to $160,000, with the $5,000 reallocated to the Ellis County Historical Society, bringing its total to $115,000.Commissioner Michael Berges said Grow Hays contacted the commission after that discussion and asked that the $5,000 be reinstated."I hate that it looks like we're putting one [outside agency] against the others when in reality, their requests are without consideration of the others," Berges said.During this week's meeting, the commission reinstated Grow Hays' funding request of $165,000 and also maintained the Ellis County Historical Society's allocation at $115,000.The Fire District budget draft has an increase in the mill levy from 4 mills to 4.14 mills, with projected revenues of about $781,600 and expenses of about $892,200. The Solid Waste Enterprise Fund has revenues of $1,595,000 with expenses at about $1,576,400.A public hearing on the revenue-neutral rate and budget is set for Sept. 9.<h2>Request for proposal for appraisal contract services</h2>The Ellis County Appraiser's Office received approval to enter into a consulting agreement with Equitable Solutions for income and expense analysis services.With the contractor, the county will have better tools to determine market values of commercial and industrial properties, leading to more accurate property tax assessments,&nbsp;Eugene Rupp, county appraiser, said.The total cost is $21,000 and will be paid in three installments. The expense will be covered from the appraiser's 2025 general fund and the appraiser's capital reserve fund.The following year, the county appraisal staff will fully take over the analysis, eliminating the need for a contractor in 2027.<h2>Natural gas pricing</h2>Commissioners received an update from Mike Thomas, vice president of WoodRiver Energy, on the natural gas market and the option to lock in natural gas rates for county facilities.Thomas said in the short term, the gas market is well supplied with stable prices, but in the long term, prices may rise.&nbsp; The commission approved a two-year natural gas contract at $5.10 per million British thermal units.<h2>Pharmaceutical lawsuit settlement</h2>The commission briefly discussed the county's involvement in a national opioid lawsuit settlement from several years ago. Darin Myers, county administrator, said the county has been receiving payments over the last several years after opting in to do so.Myers said the county recently received new settlement offer documents related to Purdue Pharma and the Sackler family. These documents came with tight deadlines, and Myers asked permission to sign them with the intention of bringing the documents to a future meeting.Myers said the settlement funds do not impact the general fund and go into their own."By law, certain things that we can use them on are training and different programs specific to opioid use and drug addiction," he said.The commission unanimously agreed to allow it.<h2>Other business</h2>The commission approved a waived fee of about $500 in waste disposal for the upcoming Volga German Oktoberfest, scheduled for Sept. 26 and 27 in Hays.Commissioners also approved an updated job description for the Noxious Weed Department, including the addition of a new position level. This change aligns with stricter state certification requirements and improves employee retention. No new positions will be created.

Ellis County Commission discuss final budget draft with mill levy increase

By GERARD WELLBROCK 
 Hays Post Sports

HAYS, Kan. - Fort Hays State wide receiver Ryan Allen is
looking to take his game to the next level in his final season. The senior from
Highlands Ranch, Colorado, has played in all but one game of his career.

Last season, Allen started six games and set new career
highs with 28 receptions and 323 receiving yards. He also served as the Tigers'
primary punt returner.

"I struggled with beating man coverage, especially when
guys would get really physical," Allen said. "I wanted to focus on
getting off press coverage a lot this offseason, but my main goal is to just
help the team as best I can."

With the graduation of Jayden Horace and Shane Watts, the
Tigers need to replace two of their top three receivers from last season. Allen
believes the team has the players to do so.

"We’ve lost some guys, but we’ve also gained some guys
that are really going to help our team," Allen said. "I think they’ve
filled in and stepped up great. Young guys have really raised their level,
their play, and I think we’re going to really take it to the next level in the
receiving corps this year."

Last season, the Tigers ranked second in the MIAA in rushing
yards per game (169.3), sixth in passing (232.7) and third in points scored
(30.4). Allen is excited to improve on those numbers.

"We've got a lot of players that are capable of making
explosive plays, and that's all you can ask for - when your number gets called,
step up and make the play," he said. "I think everybody on the
offense is ready to do that."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1755118807102.jpeg" alt="Fort Hays State wide receiver Ryan Allen makes a catch during FHSU preseason practice. (FHSU Athletics photo/Ryan Prickett)" />
 <figcaption>Fort Hays State wide receiver Ryan Allen makes a catch during FHSU preseason practice. (FHSU Athletics photo/Ryan Prickett)</figcaption>
 </figure>By GERARD WELLBROCK 
 Hays Post SportsHAYS, Kan. - Fort Hays State wide receiver Ryan Allen is
looking to take his game to the next level in his final season. The senior from
Highlands Ranch, Colorado, has played in all but one game of his career.Last season, Allen started six games and set new career
highs with 28 receptions and 323 receiving yards. He also served as the Tigers'
primary punt returner.<div><iframe width="100%" height="166" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/2152686993&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true"></iframe><div style="font-size: 10px; color: #cccccc;line-break: anywhere;word-break: normal;overflow: hidden;white-space: nowrap;text-overflow: ellipsis; font-family: Interstate,Lucida Grande,Lucida Sans Unicode,Lucida Sans,Garuda,Verdana,Tahoma,sans-serif;font-weight: 100;"><a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509" title="Eagle Radio" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Eagle Radio</a> · <a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509/fhsu-fb-camp-allen" title="FHSU FB Camp - Allen" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">FHSU FB Camp - Allen</a></div></div>"I struggled with beating man coverage, especially when
guys would get really physical," Allen said. "I wanted to focus on
getting off press coverage a lot this offseason, but my main goal is to just
help the team as best I can."With the graduation of Jayden Horace and Shane Watts, the
Tigers need to replace two of their top three receivers from last season. Allen
believes the team has the players to do so."We’ve lost some guys, but we’ve also gained some guys
that are really going to help our team," Allen said. "I think they’ve
filled in and stepped up great. Young guys have really raised their level,
their play, and I think we’re going to really take it to the next level in the
receiving corps this year."Last season, the Tigers ranked second in the MIAA in rushing
yards per game (169.3), sixth in passing (232.7) and third in points scored
(30.4). Allen is excited to improve on those numbers."We've got a lot of players that are capable of making
explosive plays, and that's all you can ask for - when your number gets called,
step up and make the play," he said. "I think everybody on the
offense is ready to do that."

🏈 Allen seeks to elevate game for Tigers

A Hays woman is accused of pepper-spraying a bouncer after being removed from Chuck’s, 507 W. Seventh St.

Hays Deputy Police Chief Tim Greenwood said 33-year-old Ashley Danielle Lewis was arrested on alleged charges of battery, criminal trespass and interference with law enforcement.

Greenwood said officers were dispatched at 1:38 a.m. on Aug. 3 to a disturbance at the bar, where they found Lewis already detained. Fort Hays State University Police were also on the scene.

Greenwood said the investigation determined Lewis had thrown a drink on the floor inside the bar, prompting staff to ask her to leave.

Lewis allegedly refused to leave and was escorted outside by a 35-year-old male bouncer. Greenwood said she then returned and pepper-sprayed the Hays man who removed her.

Once officers arrived, Greenwood said Lewis allegedly resisted arrest before being booked into the Ellis County Jail.

A subsequent search led to more alleged charges, including possession of an opiate and possession with intent to distribute drug paraphernalia.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1716320706146.jpeg" alt="Courtesy of Pixabay" />
 <figcaption>Courtesy of Pixabay</figcaption>
 </figure>By TONY GUERRERO Hays PostA Hays woman is accused of pepper-spraying a bouncer after being removed from Chuck’s, 507 W. Seventh St.Hays Deputy Police Chief Tim Greenwood said 33-year-old Ashley Danielle Lewis was arrested on alleged charges of battery, criminal trespass and interference with law enforcement.Greenwood said officers were dispatched at 1:38 a.m. on Aug. 3 to a disturbance at the bar, where they found Lewis already detained. Fort Hays State University Police were also on the scene.Greenwood said the investigation determined Lewis had thrown a drink on the floor inside the bar, prompting staff to ask her to leave.Lewis allegedly refused to leave and was escorted outside by a 35-year-old male bouncer. Greenwood said she then returned and pepper-sprayed the Hays man who removed her.Once officers arrived, Greenwood said Lewis allegedly resisted arrest before being booked into the Ellis County Jail.A subsequent search led to more alleged charges, including possession of an opiate and possession with intent to distribute drug paraphernalia.

Hays woman kicked out of bar allegedly pepper-sprays bouncer

WICHITA, Kan. — The National Baseball Congress announced its 2025 NBC World Series All-Tournament team Wednesday and several Hays Larks were honored.

Pitchers Simon Lunsford and Julio Ramos were named NBC World Series All-Americans. Lunsford finished the tournament with a 1-0 record and did not give up an earned run while striking out nine in 6 2/3 innings. Ramos had 12 strikeouts over 9 1/3 innings and a 0.96 ERA.

The Larks finished 4-1 in the tournament, losing to the Lonestar (TX) Kraken in the semifinals.

The Hutchinson Monarchs, who blasted the Lonestar Kraken (Texas) 21-4 in the Aug. 2 championship game at Riverfront Stadium, had four players honored.

2025 NBS World Series All-Americans Pitchers Simon Lunsford - Hays Larks Bradyn McClure - Hutchinson Monarchs Julio Ramos - Hays Larks Brice Foster - Seattle Studs Trent Collier - Lonestar Kraken

Catcher Christian Olea - Alaska Goldpanners

Infielders Jackson Copeland - Seattle Studs Tony DeJesus - Lonestar Kraken Drew Bugner - Hutchinson Monarchs Noah Allison - Derby Twins

Outfielders Jake Gutierrez - Hutchinson Monarchs Preston Curtis - Lonestar Kraken Jaden Gustafson - Hutchinson Monarchs

Utility Aidan LeMasters - Top Prospects Academy Kado Robardy - Lonestar Kraken

Designated Hitter Matthew Pinal - Alaska Goldpanners

Manager Casey Lippoldt - Hutchinson Monarchs

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/7/1753052507019.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>Hays Post SportsWICHITA, Kan. — The National Baseball Congress announced its 2025 NBC World Series All-Tournament team Wednesday and several Hays Larks were honored.Pitchers Simon Lunsford and Julio Ramos were named NBC World Series All-Americans. Lunsford finished the tournament with a 1-0 record and did not give up an earned run while striking out nine in 6 2/3 innings. Ramos had 12 strikeouts over 9 1/3 innings and a 0.96 ERA.The Larks finished 4-1 in the tournament, losing to the Lonestar (TX) Kraken in the semifinals.The Hutchinson Monarchs, who blasted the Lonestar Kraken (Texas) 21-4 in the Aug. 2 championship game at Riverfront Stadium, had four players honored.2025 NBS World Series All-Americans Pitchers Simon Lunsford - Hays Larks Bradyn McClure - Hutchinson Monarchs Julio Ramos - Hays Larks Brice Foster - Seattle Studs Trent Collier - Lonestar KrakenCatcher Christian Olea - Alaska GoldpannersInfielders Jackson Copeland - Seattle Studs Tony DeJesus - Lonestar Kraken Drew Bugner - Hutchinson Monarchs Noah Allison - Derby TwinsOutfielders Jake Gutierrez - Hutchinson Monarchs Preston Curtis - Lonestar Kraken Jaden Gustafson - Hutchinson Monarchs Utility Aidan LeMasters - Top Prospects Academy Kado Robardy - Lonestar KrakenDesignated Hitter Matthew Pinal - Alaska GoldpannersManager Casey Lippoldt - Hutchinson Monarchs

⚾ Several Larks named to NBC World Series All-Tournament team

Two men allegedly started a parking lot fight with three young people from Hays.

Hays Deputy Police Chief Tim Greenwood said 26-year-old Chase Hartman of Victoria and 42-year-old Jake McDiffett of Alta Vista face alleged charges of battery and aggravated endangering a child.

Greenwood said the alleged altercation occurred at 7:45 p.m. July 28 in the 3300 block of Vine Street, involving the two men and an 18-year-old man with two male juveniles ages 16 and 17.

Greenwood did not release the parking lot in which the fight allegedly occurred.

Greenwood said Hartman and McDiffett allegedly initiated the physical fight after a verbal dispute with the younger group. Officers arrived to find the parties still fighting, resulting in both men's arrests.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1716320706146.jpeg" alt="Courtesy of Pixabay" />
 <figcaption>Courtesy of Pixabay</figcaption>
 </figure>By TONY GUERRERO Hays PostTwo men allegedly started a parking lot fight with three young people from Hays.Hays Deputy Police Chief Tim Greenwood said 26-year-old Chase Hartman of Victoria and 42-year-old Jake McDiffett of Alta Vista face alleged charges of battery and aggravated endangering a child.Greenwood said the alleged altercation occurred at 7:45 p.m. July 28 in the 3300 block of Vine Street, involving the two men and an 18-year-old man with two male juveniles ages 16 and 17.Greenwood did not release the parking lot in which the fight allegedly occurred.Greenwood said Hartman and McDiffett allegedly initiated the physical fight after a verbal dispute with the younger group. Officers arrived to find the parties still fighting, resulting in both men's arrests.

Victoria, Alta Vista men arrested for allegedly battering juveniles

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump on Wednesday named country music star George Strait, “Rocky” actor Sylvester Stallone, singer Gloria Gaynor, the rock band Kiss and actor-singer Michael Crawford among the first batch of Kennedy Center Honors nominees under his leadership as the center’s chairman and said he’ll host the awards program.

Trump also said he'll “fully renovate” the entire infrastructure of the Kennedy Center to make it a “crown jewel” of arts and culture in the United States.

“We're going to bring it to a higher level than it ever hit,” the president said, adding the venue would be featured in next year's celebrations of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/federal-cuts-humanities-america250-anniversary-doge-572cf095773c66856a1da94030ffd5a9">America's 250th anniversary</a>.

Trump said he didn’t want to host the program but was invited to do so and agreed.

The Republican president avoided the Kennedy Center Honors awards program during his first term after artists said they wouldn't attend out of protest. This year, he has taken over as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-kennedy-center-board-chairman-firings-21cd0018c6e9f591d59becea8573d8c0">the Kennedy Center's new chairman</a>&nbsp;and fired the board of trustees, which he replaced with loyalists.

In a Truth Social post on Tuesday, Trump teased a name change for the center, formally the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, and said it would be restored to its past glory.

“GREAT Nominees for the TRUMP/KENNEDY CENTER, whoops, I mean, KENNEDY CENTER, AWARDS,” Trump wrote. He said work was being done on the site that would bring it "back to the absolute TOP LEVEL of luxury, glamour, and entertainment.”

“It had fallen on hard times, physically, BUT WILL SOON BE MAKING A MAJOR COMEBACK!!!” he wrote.

In a statement on its social media feed, the Kennedy Center said it was “honored” to host Trump, who was visiting for the third time since January.

“Thanks to his advocacy, our beautiful building will undergo renovations to restore its prestige and grandeur,” the venue said.

Trump complained during a March visit that the building is in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-kennedy-center-559bf5254b99f938dc156b60c9a495e7">a state of “tremendous disrepair.”</a>

Trump, who had indicated he wanted a more active role in the selection process, said he was “about 98% involved” in choosing the honorees. He said he “turned down plenty” of names, saying those individuals were “too woke,” or too liberal. He described the artists he announced on Wednesday, including several of his favorites, as “great people.”

Historically, a bipartisan advisory committee selects the recipients, who over the years have ranged from George Balanchine and Tom Hanks to Aretha Franklin and Stephen Sondheim. A message sent to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kennedy-center-trump-what-to-know-4305e2c3d5611c4bfb1686d597727369">the Kennedy Center</a>&nbsp;press office asking how this year's honorees were selected wasn’t returned Tuesday.

In the past, Trump has floated the idea of granting Kennedy Center Honors status to singer-songwriter Paul Anka and Stallone, one of three actors Trump named as Hollywood ambassadors earlier this year. Anka was supposed to perform “My Way” at Trump’s first inaugural and backed out at the last moment.

The Kennedy Center Honors were established in 1978 and have been given to a broad range of artists. Until Trump’s first term, presidents of both major political parties traditionally attended the annual ceremony, even when they disagreed politically with a given recipient.

Prominent liberals such as&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RVWTluhfsts">Barbra Streisand</a>&nbsp;and Warren Beatty were honored during the administration of Republican George W. Bush, and a leading conservative, Charlton Heston, was feted during the administration of Democrat Bill Clinton.

In 2017, after honoree Norman Lear declared he wouldn't attend a White House celebration in protest of Trump’s proposed cuts to federal arts funding, Trump and first lady Melania Trump decided to skip the Kennedy Center event and remained away throughout his first term. Honorees during that time included such Trump critics as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/general-news-united-states-government-arts-and-entertainment-celebrity-def16b009b124f499f2d1a1ffbd815a8">Cher</a>, Lin-Manuel Miranda and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/26210989c660404b9fc700a619ac877f">Sally Field</a>.

Since returning to office, Trump has taken a more forceful stance on the Kennedy Center and inserted himself into its governance. Besides naming himself chairman and remaking the board, he has indicated he'd take over decisions regarding programming at the center and vowed to end events featuring performers in drag.

The steps have drawn further criticism from some artists. In March, the producers of “Hamilton” pulled out of staging the Broadway hit musical in 2026, citing Trump's aggressive takeover of the institution's leadership.

House Republicans added an amendment to a spending bill Trump signed into law in July to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CLBYbAiNrY4">rename the Kennedy Center’s Opera House</a>&nbsp;after Melania Trump, but that venue has yet to be renamed. Maria Shriver, a niece of the late President Kennedy, a Democrat, has criticized as “insane” a separate House proposal to rename the entire center after Trump.

Italie reported from New York. Associated Press writer Darlene Superville in Washington contributed to this report.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1755108595875.png" alt="Photo courtesy Kennedy Center" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy Kennedy Center</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump on Wednesday named country music star George Strait, “Rocky” actor Sylvester Stallone, singer Gloria Gaynor, the rock band Kiss and actor-singer Michael Crawford among the first batch of Kennedy Center Honors nominees under his leadership as the center’s chairman and said he’ll host the awards program.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">.<a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a> announces <a href="https://twitter.com/GeorgeStrait?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@GeorgeStrait</a> as a 2025 Kennedy Center Honors nominee <a href="https://t.co/QWJ89jYXIE">pic.twitter.com/QWJ89jYXIE</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1955655797846732992?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 13, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">.<a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a> announces Michael Crawford as a 2025 Kennedy Center Honors nominee. <a href="https://t.co/wDpNxgSrSG">pic.twitter.com/wDpNxgSrSG</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1955656852529889353?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 13, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">.<a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a> announces <a href="https://twitter.com/kiss?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@kiss</a> as a 2025 Kennedy Center Honors nominee <a href="https://t.co/2humQiLBio">pic.twitter.com/2humQiLBio</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1955658164130775127?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 13, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">.<a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a> announces legendary actor <a href="https://twitter.com/TheSlyStallone?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TheSlyStallone</a> as a 2025 Kennedy Center Honors nominee <a href="https://t.co/wOro0slUCx">pic.twitter.com/wOro0slUCx</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1955658539453554690?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 13, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">.<a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a> announces <a href="https://twitter.com/gloriagaynor?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@gloriagaynor</a> as a 2025 Kennedy Center Honors nominee <a href="https://t.co/YPztXwvCeZ">pic.twitter.com/YPztXwvCeZ</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1955658293734707559?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 13, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">The Kennedy Center is proud to announce our incredible lineup of 2025 Kennedy Center Honorees: •George Strait (<a href="https://twitter.com/GeorgeStrait?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@GeorgeStrait</a>) •Michael Crawford •Sylvester Stallone (<a href="https://twitter.com/TheSlyStallone?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TheSlyStallone</a>) •Gloria Gaynor (<a href="https://twitter.com/gloriagaynor?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@GloriaGaynor</a>) •Kiss (<a href="https://twitter.com/kiss?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Kiss</a>) Congratulations to our 48th Class! <a href="https://t.co/y8iWt4U0Lq">pic.twitter.com/y8iWt4U0Lq</a>&mdash; The Kennedy Center (@kencen) <a href="https://twitter.com/kencen/status/1955665540208603319?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 13, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Trump also said he'll “fully renovate” the entire infrastructure of the Kennedy Center to make it a “crown jewel” of arts and culture in the United States.“We're going to bring it to a higher level than it ever hit,” the president said, adding the venue would be featured in next year's celebrations of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/federal-cuts-humanities-america250-anniversary-doge-572cf095773c66856a1da94030ffd5a9">America's 250th anniversary</a>.Trump said he didn’t want to host the program but was invited to do so and agreed.The Republican president avoided the Kennedy Center Honors awards program during his first term after artists said they wouldn't attend out of protest. This year, he has taken over as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-kennedy-center-board-chairman-firings-21cd0018c6e9f591d59becea8573d8c0">the Kennedy Center's new chairman</a>&nbsp;and fired the board of trustees, which he replaced with loyalists.In a Truth Social post on Tuesday, Trump teased a name change for the center, formally the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, and said it would be restored to its past glory.“GREAT Nominees for the TRUMP/KENNEDY CENTER, whoops, I mean, KENNEDY CENTER, AWARDS,” Trump wrote. He said work was being done on the site that would bring it "back to the absolute TOP LEVEL of luxury, glamour, and entertainment.”“It had fallen on hard times, physically, BUT WILL SOON BE MAKING A MAJOR COMEBACK!!!” he wrote.In a statement on its social media feed, the Kennedy Center said it was “honored” to host Trump, who was visiting for the third time since January.“Thanks to his advocacy, our beautiful building will undergo renovations to restore its prestige and grandeur,” the venue said.Trump complained during a March visit that the building is in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-kennedy-center-559bf5254b99f938dc156b60c9a495e7">a state of “tremendous disrepair.”</a>Trump, who had indicated he wanted a more active role in the selection process, said he was “about 98% involved” in choosing the honorees. He said he “turned down plenty” of names, saying those individuals were “too woke,” or too liberal. He described the artists he announced on Wednesday, including several of his favorites, as “great people.”Historically, a bipartisan advisory committee selects the recipients, who over the years have ranged from George Balanchine and Tom Hanks to Aretha Franklin and Stephen Sondheim. A message sent to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kennedy-center-trump-what-to-know-4305e2c3d5611c4bfb1686d597727369">the Kennedy Center</a>&nbsp;press office asking how this year's honorees were selected wasn’t returned Tuesday.In the past, Trump has floated the idea of granting Kennedy Center Honors status to singer-songwriter Paul Anka and Stallone, one of three actors Trump named as Hollywood ambassadors earlier this year. Anka was supposed to perform “My Way” at Trump’s first inaugural and backed out at the last moment.The Kennedy Center Honors were established in 1978 and have been given to a broad range of artists. Until Trump’s first term, presidents of both major political parties traditionally attended the annual ceremony, even when they disagreed politically with a given recipient.Prominent liberals such as&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RVWTluhfsts">Barbra Streisand</a>&nbsp;and Warren Beatty were honored during the administration of Republican George W. Bush, and a leading conservative, Charlton Heston, was feted during the administration of Democrat Bill Clinton.In 2017, after honoree Norman Lear declared he wouldn't attend a White House celebration in protest of Trump’s proposed cuts to federal arts funding, Trump and first lady Melania Trump decided to skip the Kennedy Center event and remained away throughout his first term. Honorees during that time included such Trump critics as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/general-news-united-states-government-arts-and-entertainment-celebrity-def16b009b124f499f2d1a1ffbd815a8">Cher</a>, Lin-Manuel Miranda and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/26210989c660404b9fc700a619ac877f">Sally Field</a>.Since returning to office, Trump has taken a more forceful stance on the Kennedy Center and inserted himself into its governance. Besides naming himself chairman and remaking the board, he has indicated he'd take over decisions regarding programming at the center and vowed to end events featuring performers in drag.The steps have drawn further criticism from some artists. In March, the producers of “Hamilton” pulled out of staging the Broadway hit musical in 2026, citing Trump's aggressive takeover of the institution's leadership.House Republicans added an amendment to a spending bill Trump signed into law in July to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CLBYbAiNrY4">rename the Kennedy Center’s Opera House</a>&nbsp;after Melania Trump, but that venue has yet to be renamed. Maria Shriver, a niece of the late President Kennedy, a Democrat, has criticized as “insane” a separate House proposal to rename the entire center after Trump.___Italie reported from New York. Associated Press writer Darlene Superville in Washington contributed to this report.

🎥Country music legend among Kennedy Center honor nominees

By BECKY KISER Hays Post

Hays city commissioners  will vote on another step toward the construction of new housing in west Hays at their meeting on Thursday.

The commission will consider a resolution and an engineering services agreement to establish a benefit district for&nbsp;32 lots in the Covenant Estates First Addition.

The developer,&nbsp;Covenant&nbsp;Land &amp; Developing Inc., has petitioned the city for street, stormwater, water and&nbsp;sanitary sewer improvements through the use of a benefit district.

The engineer’s estimate for total construction costs of the improvements is $2.9 million. Seventy percent&nbsp;of the costs will be special assessed, with&nbsp;the remaining 30% being paid by the developer.&nbsp;No city capital would be expended.

A $221,000 engineering agreement with&nbsp;Sloan Engineering and Consulting, Hays, has been prepared for the infrastructure improvements in Phase 1.

Don Scheibler, police chief, will present a request from High Plains Mental Health Center for a portion of opioid settlement funds. The state distributes the opioid funds to municipalities and must be allocated for opioid and substance use disorder abatement.

City staff recommended the mental health center be granted $45,481 to purchase social detoxification treatment chairs and infusion pumps for its new&nbsp;<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/c63c3c89-fd3c-4923-8d01-509e92168ce0">Crisis Intervention Center</a>&nbsp;under construction in Hays. The center will serve 28 western Kansas counties.&nbsp;

The complete Aug. 14 agenda is available <a href="https://haysusa.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_08142025-1563">here</a>.

The meeting starts at 4 p.m. in Hays City Hall, 1507 Main.&nbsp;

By BECKY KISER Hays PostHays city commissioners will vote on another step toward the construction of new housing in west Hays at their meeting on Thursday.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1754496181254.png" alt="Covenant Estates First Addition. Courtesy image" />
 <figcaption>Covenant Estates First Addition. Courtesy image</figcaption>
 </figure>The commission will consider a resolution and an engineering services agreement to establish a benefit district for&nbsp;32 lots in the Covenant Estates First Addition.The developer,&nbsp;Covenant&nbsp;Land &amp; Developing Inc., has petitioned the city for street, stormwater, water and&nbsp;sanitary sewer improvements through the use of a benefit district.The engineer’s estimate for total construction costs of the improvements is $2.9 million. Seventy percent&nbsp;of the costs will be special assessed, with&nbsp;the remaining 30% being paid by the developer.&nbsp;No city capital would be expended.A $221,000 engineering agreement with&nbsp;Sloan Engineering and Consulting, Hays, has been prepared for the infrastructure improvements in Phase 1.Don Scheibler, police chief, will present a request from High Plains Mental Health Center for a portion of opioid settlement funds. The state distributes the opioid funds to municipalities and must be allocated for opioid and substance use disorder abatement.City staff recommended the mental health center be granted $45,481 to purchase social detoxification treatment chairs and infusion pumps for its new&nbsp;<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/c63c3c89-fd3c-4923-8d01-509e92168ce0">Crisis Intervention Center</a>&nbsp;under construction in Hays. The center will serve 28 western Kansas counties.&nbsp;The complete Aug. 14 agenda is available <a href="https://haysusa.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_08142025-1563">here</a>.The meeting starts at 4 p.m. in Hays City Hall, 1507 Main.&nbsp;

City commission to vote on next steps for new housing in west Hays

A Kansas state representative is calling on Gov. Laura Kelly to address allegations of misconduct involving his predecessor, now serving on the Kansas State Fair Board.

Rep. Kyler Sweely, R-Hutchinson, said in a letter to Kelly on Monday that Jason Probst, acted “highly inappropriately” toward him during the Boots and Bling fundraiser for the Kansas Fairgrounds Foundation on Saturday. Sweely defeated Probst in the 2024 election for the 102nd District seat. Kelly appointed Probst to the Fair Board on July 7.

“Mr. Probst, visibly intoxicated, made disturbing sexual and homophobic comments toward me in front of attendees, and had to be physically held back due to escalating, aggressive behavior,” Sweely wrote in a statement to Hutch Post on Tuesday.

When asked, Jason Probst replied to the accusations saying in a statement, "Kyler Sweely is doing all he can to deflect from his history of abuse and dishonesty. If his feelings get hurt so easily perhaps public service isn’t for him."&nbsp;

In the letter to Gov. Kelly, Sweely said the encounter was not an isolated incident, claiming it was the second time in the past month that Probst had directed a “rant filled with homophobic comments” at him. He urged the governor to “immediately review this matter and take appropriate action” regarding Probst’s continued role on the board.

Kelly’s office confirmed receipt of Sweely’s letter.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1722265569928.jpeg" alt="Kyler Sweely -file photo" />
 <figcaption>Kyler Sweely -file photo</figcaption>
 </figure>MARC JACOBS Hutch Post&nbsp;A Kansas state representative is calling on Gov. Laura Kelly to address allegations of misconduct involving his predecessor, now serving on the Kansas State Fair Board.Rep. Kyler Sweely, R-Hutchinson, said in a letter to Kelly on Monday that Jason Probst, acted “highly inappropriately” toward him during the Boots and Bling fundraiser for the Kansas Fairgrounds Foundation on Saturday. Sweely defeated Probst in the 2024 election for the 102nd District seat. Kelly appointed Probst to the Fair Board on July 7.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/10/1665505897161.jpeg" alt="Jason Probst-file photo" />
 <figcaption>Jason Probst-file photo</figcaption>
 </figure>“Mr. Probst, visibly intoxicated, made disturbing sexual and homophobic comments toward me in front of attendees, and had to be physically held back due to escalating, aggressive behavior,” Sweely wrote in a statement to Hutch Post on Tuesday.When asked, Jason Probst replied to the accusations saying in a statement, "Kyler Sweely is doing all he can to deflect from his history of abuse and dishonesty. If his feelings get hurt so easily perhaps public service isn’t for him."&nbsp;In the letter to Gov. Kelly, Sweely said the encounter was not an isolated incident, claiming it was the second time in the past month that Probst had directed a “rant filled with homophobic comments” at him. He urged the governor to “immediately review this matter and take appropriate action” regarding Probst’s continued role on the board.Kelly’s office confirmed receipt of Sweely’s letter.

Kan. lawmaker asks governor to remove rival from State Fair Board

Sugar Collective is helping women, from busy moms to working professionals, feel confident with its range of styles in Hays.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1755015818901.jpeg" alt="A clothing display at Sugar Collective at Big Creek Crossing in Hays. Photo by Tony Guerrero/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>A clothing display at Sugar Collective at Big Creek Crossing in Hays. Photo by Tony Guerrero/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>By TONY GUERRERO Hays PostSugar Collective is helping women, from busy moms to working professionals, feel confident with its range of styles in Hays.Owner Sammy McBride opened the boutique Monday at Big Creek Crossing, drawing on 15 years of retail experience and naming the store after her grandmother, Sug Pollard."The way my grandma has influenced the store is her larger-than-life personality. She walks into a room, and she is just herself. ... Our tagline is everyday style and unapologetically you," McBride said.The boutique carries everything from athleisure to Fort Hays State University apparel, with a focus on helping women across all generations feel authentically themselves.McBride said Sugar Co. stands out for its selection of exclusive brands, including Kendra Scott, FP Movement, Nickel &amp; Suede, and Mary Elizabeth Co., a local jewelry line.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1755015861062.jpeg" alt="A wall of clothing at Sugar Collective at Big Creek Crossing in Hays. Photo by Tony Guerrero/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>A wall of clothing at Sugar Collective at Big Creek Crossing in Hays. Photo by Tony Guerrero/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1755015880368.jpeg" alt="An exclusive brand section at Sugar Collective at Big Creek Crossing in Hays. Photo by Tony Guerrero/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>An exclusive brand section at Sugar Collective at Big Creek Crossing in Hays. Photo by Tony Guerrero/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1755015907039.jpeg" alt="A display of bottoms at Sugar Collective at Big Creek Crossing in Hays. Photo by Tony Guerrero/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>A display of bottoms at Sugar Collective at Big Creek Crossing in Hays. Photo by Tony Guerrero/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1755015927324.jpeg" alt="A section with Fort Hays State University apparel at Sugar Collective at Big Creek Crossing in Hays. Photo by Tony Guerrero/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>A section with Fort Hays State University apparel at Sugar Collective at Big Creek Crossing in Hays. Photo by Tony Guerrero/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>"We really believe that the experience here should feel like shopping with a friend or shopping with your most stylish bestie," McBride said.A variety of tops, including blouses and sweaters, are priced between $12 and $80. Bottoms range from $25 to $115 and dresses are priced between $40 and $80.You can browse the store's apparel and place orders through its <a href="https://shopsugarco.com/?fbclid=IwY2xjawMISw9leHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFwZVN3NnhZdHRUeTByTVNTAR47L-zYafh_oOaY4ttbF1iWcuYiC02JTpMpP_dqX85w5U2UwAUg5NUz65WuPw_aem_fdhrVlwNd63_zJMB2eK0tw">website</a> for shipping or in-store pickup.During grand opening week, each purchase at Sugar Co. enters customers into a drawing for one of three $50 gift cards. Shoppers who spend $250 or more will also receive a free Kendra Scott Mabel necklace.McBride's 35th birthday is this Saturday, and she is inviting everyone to join the celebration with a DIY soda bar at the store.McBride said she is grateful to her supporters, including Grow Hays, the Bank of Hays, Big Creek Crossing and her family.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1755015956000.jpeg" alt="A jewelry display at Sugar Collective at Big Creek Crossing in Hays. Photo by Tony Guerrero/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>A jewelry display at Sugar Collective at Big Creek Crossing in Hays. Photo by Tony Guerrero/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1755015977952.jpeg" alt="A rack of clothing at Sugar Collective at Big Creek Crossing in Hays. Photo by Tony Guerrero/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>A rack of clothing at Sugar Collective at Big Creek Crossing in Hays. Photo by Tony Guerrero/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/8/1755015995021.jpeg" alt="Hats and accessories at Sugar Collective at Big Creek Crossing in Hays. Photo by Tony Guerrero/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Hats and accessories at Sugar Collective at Big Creek Crossing in Hays. Photo by Tony Guerrero/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>"I've been a part of the retail world in Hays for such a long time, and I'm excited to still be a part of the community," McBride said.McBride is originally from Topeka and came to western Kansas to attend Barton County Community College before going on to earn a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing from FHSU in 2012.She worked at Buckle before spending almost 12 years with <a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/e35818e9-fbc6-46a7-84c0-d55ae0287f54">Bling</a>, the former clothing store that previously occupied Sugar Co.'s current location.Sugar Co. is open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays and noon to 6 p.m. Sundays.You can follow the new store on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/shopsugarcollective/">Facebook</a>&nbsp;and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/shop.sugar.co?igsh=MTJiZWNiOGg2aDNzeg==">Instagram</a>.